Javier Tebas Shares Insights on Barça’s Economic Woes and Anticipates Mbappé Boost for La Liga

In an extensive interview with the Portuguese outlet ‘A Bola,’ Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, expressed excitement about the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappé in La Liga and voiced concerns about Barcelona’s financial situation. Tebas also addressed other current issues such as the Negreira case and the controversy involving Real Madrid TV and referees.

According to Javier Tebas, one of Barcelona’s major problems has been consistently operating at the maximum salary cap imposed by La Liga. He highlighted how the club faced challenges during the pandemic when revenues fell while salaries remained high. Tebas pointed out that some players couldn’t reach agreements for salary revisions, leading to a mismatch between earnings and reduced income. In contrast, he praised Real Madrid for exercising caution and not pushing their limits, giving them more flexibility to handle the crisis effectively.

Tebas confessed that Barcelona’s economic situation worries him, but he believes the club has mechanisms to navigate through it. He emphasized the need for adaptation and strategic decision-making by the club’s leaders to find the right path and solve the problem.

Regarding the Negreira case, Tebas described it as one of the worst incidents in the history of Spanish football, expressing disbelief at a club paying the vice president of referees for so many years. While he doesn’t believe Barcelona bought referees, he stressed the gravity of attempting to influence appointments, promotions, and relegations.

Tebas discussed the recent talent drain in La Liga, with the departures of Messi and Ronaldo, acknowledging that it has affected the league’s value. However, he expressed optimism about the possibility of Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappé for the upcoming season, considering it a potential boost for La Liga’s competitiveness and growth.

Highlighting recent additions like Bellingham and citing sustained international revenues despite losing Messi and Ronaldo, Tebas credited La Liga’s sustainability and competitiveness. He underscored that sponsors and media outlets prioritize economic sustainability, contributing to La Liga’s continued strength. Tebas took pride in the arrival of Bellingham this year and expressed excitement about the potential addition of Mbappé to further enhance La Liga’s global appeal.